The Classic Dirty Water Hot Dogs Recipe and History

The dirty water hot dog is a New York City staple that's been around since the early 20th century.

It's believed to have originated in the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, where a German immigrant named Charles Feltman sold hot dogs from a stand.

The name "dirty water" refers to the way the hot dogs were stored in a tank of water to keep them fresh, which was a common practice at the time.

This method of storing hot dogs allowed vendors to keep them at a consistent temperature, making them a convenient and affordable food option for busy city dwellers.

If this caught your attention, see: Dirty Water Hot Dogs

For this dirty water hot dogs recipe, you'll need some basic ingredients. Hot dogs with casings are a must - not skinless ones. You'll also need some spices like cumin and nutmeg.

The amount of hot dogs you'll need depends on the size of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. You can fit as many as you can safely fit, but keep in mind you may need to add more water and seasonings for larger recipes.

Here are the essential ingredients you'll need:

You'll need hot dogs in casings, not skinless ones, for this recipe.

Cumin and nutmeg are the key spices to add flavor to your dirty water hot dogs.

Vinegar plays a crucial role in giving your dirty water its unique taste, with balsamic and apple cider vinegar being the preferred choices.

For a larger recipe, you'll need to add more water and seasonings to your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or pressure cooker.

Here's a list of the essential ingredients:

When making Dirty Water Hot Dogs, you'll need a few key ingredients. Hot dogs with casings are a must, not skinless ones.

You can use as many hot dogs as your Instant Pot or pressure cooker can safely fit. For larger recipes, you'll need to add more water and seasonings. The amount of hot dogs you use will determine how much water and seasonings you need.

One quart of fresh water is a good starting point, but you can adjust the amount based on the number of hot dogs. Vinegar is also essential, with options like red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or white vinegar working well.

Here's an interesting read: White Vinegar and Water for Dogs

Cumin is another key ingredient, with 3/4 teaspoon being a good amount to start with. A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg adds a nice touch, but be careful not to add too much.

Here's a summary of the essential ingredients:

To make a delicious dirty water hot dog, start by boiling 2 tablespoons of water in a pot. This will help create the perfect simmer for cooking the hot dogs.

The hot dogs themselves are a crucial component of this recipe, so make sure to choose a brand that's high-quality and made with natural ingredients. I recommend using Nathan's Famous or Hebrew National.

Boil the hot dogs for 5-7 minutes, or until they're cooked through and slightly charred. You can check for doneness by cutting into one of the hot dogs.

Once the hot dogs are cooked, remove them from the pot and place them on a bun. This is where the magic happens, as the hot dog is transformed into a dirty water hot dog.

To assemble the dirty water hot dog, add a generous amount of sauerkraut, mustard, and grilled onions. The combination of flavors and textures will be a game-changer.

Dirty water hot dogs were once a staple, cooked in seasoned hot dog water, with new hot dogs added as they were sold and the water wasn't changed.

This practice was banned by hygiene officials due to concerns about cleanliness.

The water was changed more often, ruining the stock of dirty water hot dogs that people loved.

The author has a stash of frozen stock from cooking sausages and broth, and recommends saving leftover juices in the Instant Pot.

The author suggests making regular hot dogs the first time, then saving the juices for the next batch to make dirty water hot dogs.

The author has been using Instant Pots for 5 years and recommends checking out their Instant Pot recipes category for more electric pressure cooker recipes.

Suggestion: Hot Dog Weiner Recipes

NYC-Style Dogs are a classic treat that's steeped in history. The expression 'dirty water dogs' refers to the hot dog pushcarts in New York City that cook the hotdogs in vats of water that looks 'dirty'.

You might be surprised to learn that the water used to cook these dogs is actually a highly seasoned broth made with ketchup, chili powder, cumin, and salt. The term 'dirty water dogs' does NOT refer to the use of disgusting water from the Hudson river, as some might believe.

If you ever find yourself in New York, keep an eye out for a hot dog vendor with a blue and yellow striped umbrella - they're usually the ones serving up authentic NYC-Style Dogs.

NYC dogs, also known as Dirty Water Dogs, have a rich history in New York City.

The term "dirty water dogs" refers to the hot dog pushcarts in New York City that cook the hotdogs in vats of water that looks "dirty". This is because many hot dogs are cooked in the same water, releasing their excess salt and fat making the water look "dirty".

The water used to cook NYC dogs is highly seasoned with ketchup, chili powder, cumin, and salt, making it a flavorful broth. The "dirty water" is not actually from the Hudson River, as some people might believe.

NYC dog vendors often use the same carts due to permits, and this method has stood the test of time.

To make those iconic NYC-style Dirty Water Dogs, you'll need some key ingredients. You'll want to start with 6-10 hot dogs, not skinless, and a quart of water.

For a more authentic flavor, you can add some red wine vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, nutmeg, and a pinch of curing salt (if you have it). These ingredients will give your dogs a depth of flavor that's hard to beat.

To cook the dogs, bring the water mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a bare simmer. Add the hot dogs and cover the pot, cooking for at least 10 minutes. This will give the dogs a tender, juicy texture that's perfect for snacking.

Once the dogs are cooked, it's time to add your favorite toppings. For a classic NYC-style dog, you'll want to add some steamed buns, onions, and a sauce of your choice. Some people swear by ketchup, while others prefer mustard - or both!

Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients you'll need to make a classic NYC-style Dirty Water Dog: